The here and now... and what and why

Complacency is a trap. At least that’s what I was thinking when I up and left the comfort of a Yankee prep school gig, where I taught music, amongst other things, for 28 years. There was also that life long career as a composer, musician and artist.

First, it was a year in St. Thomas, USVI, working as a reporter and shooting photography and then, a year in San Agustin Etla, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Time passed.
More time passed and a year back in the Athens of America followed by a hasty return to Oaxaca where it is all happening.
A couple of years in San Sebastian Etla and now, just down the road in San Pablo Etla. Life is good.

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For additional photography please visit my flickr page.
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If you are coming to Oaxaca, please contact me for tours or advice.

Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo
The view from Corazon del Pueblo

The hereafter re me

My photo
Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico
Musician, photographer, videographer, reporter, ex-officio teacher, now attempting to be a world traveler

Thursday, July 24, 2014

mas gracias...

I went back into the city for the feria de tamale y tejate, which was totally worth it and will post about it shortly.  But I wanted to take a few more shots of the zocalo with the maestro's planton or sit-in and its accompanying madness.  You know, I dunno if this is typical Oaxaca or atypical of Oaxaca.  The zocalo can be such a serene place with the huge trees, cool breezes, concerts and people gently mingling.  At other times... well, you see.  This is the Almeda, the plaza in front of the cathedral... to the left.
 to the right.... those are little mini restaurants..... I mean,  they are substantial and they are there. Srsly, wtf?
The main entrance to the zocalo.  You can just see the teacher's tents in the background.  Normally, one can walk through, but they have blocked the entire area making the vendors areas even more congested, almost impassable at times.  You can infer what you want about the politicians and state officials who allow this to take place.
I prefer the serenity, but understand where this all comes from and it is very Oaxacan.  I just have to be extra careful so as not to get decapitated by the low lying ropes.
This is the northwest corner of the zocalo.  You can see how tough it must be for the cafes behind the vendors.  Normally, these are packed with tourists, but as you see almost empty now.
Not Oaxaca at its finest, but Oaxaca nonetheless.  Life can be quite visceral here.

4 comments:

Nightreading said...

What a world we are living in these days....It seems there is not a corner on the surface of the planet where things would not be screwed up by human beings.

On the other hand, there is always something to cheer about - we just have to be able to see it.

I see above those ugly looking ropes that magnificent cathedral with incredible architectural details, flying high in the blue sky waiting for normality to come back to those streets.

I also see above those hideous ropes such lush green trees producing oxygen for those humans living below their branches.

I find that there is always something beautiful and worth seeing around us....

bev in ct said...

Is this invasion of the zocalo just for the guelaguetza or is this daily business now.

Christopher Stowens said...

"What a world, what a world."

Who knows? But I think they will depart after the guelaguetza, next Monday.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for taking a stand on this Chris.